coprime

Today was not intended to be a good book-buying day, despite going to the used bookstore, Borders, and the library.

The used bookstore was to see if they had any Joseph Hansen or Richard Stevenson novels. They didn't. (I believe if I want these two, I have to either visit my friend in NYC again or buy them online.) But they did have Night Watch, which I hadn't bought yet only because I dislike paying for oversized paperbacks. So the used price was too good to pass up. And then I read the back of Uncharted Territory, thought it sounded like it was full of fun and wackiness, and couldn't not get it.

Borders was a bust, but I knew that going into the store. I wanted a specific dvd, and their online inventory said it wasn't in stock.

And the library was just to return two books. But I decided to check and see if they had a copy of Suzanne Brockmann's Hot Target. And they did. So I borrowed it. I've even started reading it already because goodness knows I wouldn't want to read one of the other eight books I've got a bookmark stuck in.

Ahh, I love typing up my books because it reminds me what a good year this was, at least for reading material.

+ = liked it, o = neutral about it, - = didn't like it

( Novels )

( Comics/Manga )

Only two things that I honestly didn't like and a whole bunch that I loved, so yeah, it was a good year. I also discovered several new-to-me authors, all of whom are fantastic: Lynn Flewelling (and I've now read everything she's published, which makes me sad), Charlaine Harris (who has the most honestly fun paranormal stories that I read this year), Lian Hearn, Tanya Huff (I have the first two Smoke and... books for when I finish what I'm currently reading, and I'm so excited), Naomi Novik, Patrick O'Brian (which surprised me because that's not at all what I normally read), and P. G. Wodehouse.

My favorite book of the year was probably Motel of the Mysteries, which I found (in a fit of serendipity) in a used book store after having had it described to me by a museum docent that morning. It's a little odd and quirky and utterly charmed me, especially the illustrations. The runner-up's probably Rex Stout's A Family Affair, which I'd been wanting for two years before finally buying it used. And it more than lived up to my expectations as being required reading for Nero Wolfe fans.

I've got a stack of nineteen books that I'm looking forward to reading, plus the four books and one manga that I'm currently reading, so the new year's looking like it's going to be a good year too.

I've kept a list of books I've read ever since 9th grade. It's actually pretty cool to look back and note trends in what I've been reading.

( 2005's books )

Huh. Exactly one hundred books written down. Though I know there are some I forgot to write down. Also, you can tell exactly when my roommate and I started visitng the comic shop regularly. I could have sworn I'd read more than 11 Rex Stout novels, and I sure keep reading a lot of series for someone who rarely feels like putting the effort in to reading a series.

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1. Total number of books I've owned:
Several hundred. Not sure exactly how many, but I have twelve bookshelves full in my room. And another two bookshelves full of the books I read when I was little in the basement.


2. Last book I bought:
The Chase of the Golden Meteor by Jules Verne (which looks like it'll be tons of fun)
Not Quite Dead Enough by Rex Stout (which is one of the WWII stories, so I'm interested in seeing what Archie and Nero were up to then)
Madrox by Peter David (which was funny and noir-ish)
(I bought those three on my last trip to the store, which is why I listed all of them.)


3. Last book I read:
The first book in the Star Trek: Gateways series. It wasn't especially interesting since it was setting up the rest of the series, but it wasn't bad either. I'm on the second book now and have no clue how it ties into the first book yet though. (I think the metal, alien zombies are the same people who had the abandoned station in the first book.)


4. 5 books that mean a lot to me:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: It was the first Verne book I ever read, and it made me fall in love with his books. Because there were all sorts of beautiful, detailed descriptions about the underwater places they were visiting. Jules Verne is one of my favorite authors, and I try to buy his books whenever I have the money and can find one I don't have.

[Redacted for personal info]: It's the first book my mom ever got published, and the character of Mary was loosely based off of me. (I was nine when she started writing it.) I've loved all my mom's books, some more than others, but this is the one that started her romance novel career.

Richard Scarry's Biggest Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry: I learned to read with this book. At bedtime, my parents would only read one page to me because I pointed to every last thing that was labeled and ask what it said. It was a great book too; I especially remember the one pig character whose hat had been blown away by the wind and was on each page chasing it.

Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz: When I read this in 10th grade, it really resonated with me about what it means to be Christian-- that you should love everyone (even if you don't like them) and that, no matter how a person hurt you, you should forgive them. Even though I now identify myself as agnostic, this is still a lesson I try to live by; mostly it manifests itself by the fact that I try to never hate someone or wish/do them harm.

The Bride, The Wedding, The Secret, and Ransom by Julie Garwood: Yes, these are all cheesy historical romances. Yes, I realize that they're all incredibly formulaic. (That's why I couldn't pick just one; they're all the same book at heart.) However, if ever I want to just immerse myself into fun and romance, these are the books I turn to. They make me laugh and lift my spirits, and I think I've read each book listed at least three times each.

(Huh. I just noted that the books that mean the most to me are the ones that bring me exceptional amounts of joy. It's not that I never read deep, thought-provoking things that force me to reevaluate my opinions, but I almost never have a desire to reread those books. They have no sentimental value attached. [Quo Vadis snuck into the list because it was both joyous/sentimental and thought-provoking for me.])

5. Tag 5 people and have them fill this out in their LJs:
Anyone who wants to and reads this. :)

So I just finished After Dark and After Glow by Jayne Castle a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz. And the longer I delay in choosing another book to read (even though I have at least two others that I've started), the more I want to read a futuristic romance. I mean, they've got all the stuff that makes my inner 16-year-old squeal with joy plus a dash of sci-fi/fantasy. Unfortunately the genre's very small, which means I probably have to reread either my mom's books or dig out the other Jayne Castle novels my mom owns.

And the more I think about it, the more tempting it is. Especially since Jayne Castle's books tend to come in sets. I remember Amaryllis, Orchid, and Zinnia. All those take place on a world where the people developed different forms of psychic power: telekinesis, illusions, heightened senses, etc. Except no one can use those powers without the help of a person who has the psychic power of focusing another's talents.

There was another trilogy I remember reading, but I forgot the names of the books. (The others stick in my head 'cause they're all flowers.) Looking at Amazon, I think they're Crystal Flame, Sweet Starfire, and Shield's Lady. All I remember is one scene, but the names sound familiar.

Oooh, Amazon also says that Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire are by Jayne Castle. I lovedlovedloved those two the first time I read them. The hero has the power to, when touching ancient artifacts, see a scene from their past. Jayne Castle gave it a name, but I don't remember it. Sadly, I lent Gift of Gold to Christal years ago and can't remember what happened to it.

...Okay, I've convinced myself to toddle down to the basement and see what I can find. If not Jayne Castle, I certainly have other, unread, cheesy romance novels I could read.

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne is the current book I'm reading. And I love it so. Freakin'. Much. I adore this book, which isn't that surprising since Jules is one of my favorite authors. But. This one is truly his masterpiece, I think. It's got the largest cast of characters (Eight and counting!) that I've seen in any of his books. (I've also read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 Days, so what I'm saying isn't completely without basis.)

Anyways-- eight characters. Journey to the Center of the Earth only had three. And, this is the most well-developed I've seen any of his characters. They all have distinct personalities. There's Pencroff who is the doubting Thomas of the group and whose emotions are passionate but also on a pendulum. Gideon Spilett, with his own curiosity about what's going on but is much more understated than the rest of the group. And Cyrus Smith! So logical and methodical, mmm. He seems, almost, to be Jules' author avatar now that I think about it. Just-- with the amazing precision both have. There's also Neb, whose enthusiam almost rivals Pencroff's but without all Pencroff's doubting. And, of course, Harbert, whose name I just adore. So smart and willing to learn!

Gideon and Pencroff are my favorite characters, but I love them all. (And I know I said eight but only mentioned five. Others appear over the course of the novel, but I don't want to give anything vital away.)

I was honestly surprised at how distinct and realistic these characters were. In Around the World in 80 Days, there was a romance between Phileas and Aouda, which I was never able to accept. I never saw why Phileas loved Aouda nor did I even see that he, in fact, did love her. I was told it, yes, but that's not the same. So I was pleasantly surprised by how these characters had honest emotions that didn't seem forced and were shown in such a way that they were there for me to discover if I was paying attention.

Then, there's the mystery of the island. Because, yes the title is quite descriptive. I haven't solved the mystery yet, but it's really enthralling. It creeps up on you, slowly and surely. And it's so subtle at first that you don't realize there is a mystery until Cyrus and Gideon point it out to you. And by that time, you're too far gone to want to put the book down. Oh, I love this book! I love it, I love it, I love it. Ever since I read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, I've adored Verne's writing style. But this book takes the cake; it's just that good.

(A final note-- I'm reading Jordan Stump's translation and am using his names for people.)